Opinion:
¶ “We Can Still Save The Earth From Climate Change. Here’s How” • A years-long research project simulating a global pathway towards 100% renewables across all energy sectors, bears a clear message: A global energy transition, with real climate action, is not only technically feasible but also cheaper than our current energy system. [CleanTechnica]
Saving Earth (Image © Viktoria Kurpas)
¶ “Climate Emergency: Have We Reached The End Game?” • A new paper on climate change grabbed the headlines this week as it predicts the world will end in thirty years. The absence of drastic measures to deal with climate change, its adverse effects, and the seeming non-action of human societies have made the situation worse. [Science Times]
¶ “Katharine Hayhoe Reconciles Christianity And Climate Science” • Atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe asked an audience in Juneau how a Christian, like herself, could truly say they were pro-life if they ignored the damage being done by climate change? “I’m a climate scientist because I’m a Christian,” she said. [Juneau Empire]
Katharine Hayhoe speaking (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
¶ “How To Live With The Climate Crisis Without Becoming A Nihilist” • Today, despite all the grim climate news, I actually feel more optimistic than ever. People are waking up! Maybe there’s a bit of panic, but that’s a sensible response and a good place to start. I’m hopeful we’ll see broad climate mobilization and systems transformation. [Los Angeles Times]
Science and Technology:
¶ “Researchers Using Photos To Study Impact Of Climate Change On Fall Foliage” • With autumn approaching and cooling temperatures, the first blush of the season’s fall foliage is likely drawing smiles from the pumpkin spice-loving crowds. But scientists believe warmer temperatures are pushing the fall color season later into autumn. [CBC.ca]
Fall colors (Karen James)
World:
¶ “Coordinated Strikes Knock Out Half Of Saudi Oil Capacity, Five Million Barrels A Day” • The strikes on key Saudi Arabian oil facilities, among the world’s largest production centers, have disrupted about half of the kingdom’s oil capacity, or 5% of the daily global oil supply. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have taken responsibility. [CNN]
¶ “Battling For Survival On The Frontier Of Climate Change” • Evolving weather patterns are making their impacts felt in the Caribbean with long droughts, incessant bush fires and worsening storms. And Jamaica’s reliance on rain-fed farming, with many smallholdings set on mountain slopes, leaves the farming sector particularly vulnerable. [BBC]
Dry Pagee River
¶ “Indian Hydro Power Generator Floats 2-GW Solar Tender” • India’s largest hydro power generation company has issued one of the largest-ever solar power tenders in the country’s history. NHPC Limited (formerly National Hydro Power Corporation) has called upon developers to set up 2 GW of solar projects across the country. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “World’s First Floating Nuclear Power Plant Arrives At Port In Russia” • Russia’s world first floating nuclear power station has completed a 5,000-km Arctic transfer to the country’s far east, according to the Rosatom nuclear agency. The power plant Akademik Lomonosov is to start operating when it is connected to the grid, by year’s end. [ETEnergyworld.com]
Akademik Lomonosov (Maxim Shemetov | Reuters)
¶ “Softbank Wins 330 MW Capacity In India’s Undersubscribed Solar Tender” • The fifth national-level solar power auctions by the Solar Energy Corporation of India had two winners that secured 480 MW of capacity. The originally tendered capacity was 1.2 GW, and the technical round of the auction was sharply undersubscribed. [CleanTechnica]
US:
¶ “Tesla Announces Simple Pricing On Commercial Solar, $1.01/Watt (Will Blow Some Minds)” • Elon Musk announced California customers can now order commercial sizes of solar power in five minutes at Tesla.com/bigsolar. Tesla is getting within a penny of the psychologically magical $1 for a watt of solar generation capacity. [CleanTechnica]
Solar system (www.tesla.com/energy/design/commercial)
¶ “Many States Are Punishing Drivers For Owning An Electric Car” • A study by Consumer Reports show that many states are seemingly punishing EV drivers for owning EVs. The report shows that several states are applying taxes to electric vehicle drivers at rates that are much higher than what an average driver pays in gasoline taxes. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Tucson Electric Bills To Rise With Renewable-Energy Buildout” • Customers of Tucson Electric Power Co will pay a little more on their bills starting next month under a new renewable-energy plan and surcharges state regulators approved. TEP is authorized to collect $60.9 million from surcharges to support the programs. [Arizona Daily Star]
Navajo Generating Station (Eduardo Manchon, Wikimedia)
¶ “More Renewable Energy Options Available Under Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage” • The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage program in North Carolina. The program offers large energy users the flexibility of choosing renewable energy suppliers as they choose. [New Kerala]
¶ “Greater Wildfire Risks Prompt Growth Of Electrical ‘Microgrids’ To Rely Less On PG&E” • In Sonoma County, California, microgrids would allow hospitals, municipal utilities, and certain government agencies to continue operations when natural disasters interrupt PG&E’s electrical transmission and distribution. [Santa Rosa Press Democrat]
Have a zip-a-dee-doo-dah day.
geoharvey 